Ahead of 25th UFC fight on UFC's 25th anniversary, Frankie Edgar still 'can't believe I fight for a living'

UFC Fight Night 139 wasn’t the card Frankie Edgar was targeting for his return after a decision win over Cub Swanson in April.

Edgar, in fact, wanted a spot at UFC 230, which takes place the week before at Madison Square Garden in his native New York. But then the UFC approached him asking if he’d like to headline a special occasion.

Edgar is right on both accounts: The Nov. 10 card happens almost exactly 25 years after UFC 1, which took place on Nov. 11, 1993. The location is suiting, too: Edgar (23-6-1 MMA, 17-6-1 UFC) meets Chan Sung Jung (14-4 MMA, 4-1 UFC) in Denver, where the UFC was born.

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That’s a fitting spot for Edgar, who’s had not only a long, but eventful UFC run so far. Since his octagon debut in 2007, he’s won and lost the lightweight belt and has challenged for titles multiple other times, in both the 155-pound class and his current 145-pound home.

The ex-champ has headlined 10 UFC events in the past and co-headlined four others. He’s met some of the biggest names in both divisions he’s competed in, from former featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo and current title challenger Brian Ortega, to legend B.J. Penn.

In summation: Edgar has done a whole lot.

Still, heading into yet another five-round affair, at 36, Edgar doesn’t see himself slowing down.

“I think I’m just getting smarter,” Edgar said. “The sport is getting smarter, I think. I got in a while ago, and it was kind of archaic. I think we all over-trained a little bit, so I think just being on this game so long, knowing what’s right, what’s wrong, I got a little better at training. That’s kind of kept me bouncy, if you know what I mean.”

Experience has brought along other important lessons for Edgar, such as not letting his mind wander from the task at hand. Ranked No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA featherweight rankings, Edgar seems to always hover around the title picture; that’s where he was, anyway, before a loss to Ortega derailed him.

It isn’t unreasonable to think back-to-back wins over Swanson and Jung could be just the thing to get him in the conversation again. But, right now, Edgar’s focus is not there.

Frankie Edgar at the TUF 22 Finale. (USA TODAY Sports)

“I’ve been in this situation pretty much my whole career: always close to the top and always something moving past the fight that I’m currently in,” Edgar said. “If you lose track of (the current fight), you’re definitely going to get caught slipping.”

And with 31-year-old Jung, himself a former title challenger who’s finished the likes of Dustin Poirier, Dennis Bermudez and Mark Hominick, you certainly do not want to get caught slipping.

“He can finish a fight pretty much on his feet and on the ground,” Edgar said. “I’ve fought guys that could do that, but his is kind of a little out of left field, a lot of stuff. Like a twister, he has good (D’arce chokes), you know. Maybe he’s not in a dominant position when he finishes you but can finish you from everywhere.”

Whatever happens, making it to the 26th fight of an 11-year UFC career, all the while competing at the highest level, against top competition, is no small feat. And still, with all his experience and accomplishments, Edgar finds himself marveling at his job.

“I still can’t believe I fight for a living,” Edgar said. “I feel like this is some dream as a kid watching ‘Rocky’ movies. Here I am, I’ve got three kids, I’m about to be 37 years old and have my 25th fight in the UFC, and this is what I do for work. I meet some people and they’re like, ‘You just fight, that’s it?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, this is my job.’ I’m living a dream. To me, I’m just enjoying this ride.”